Page 24 - The Indian EYE 052022

NORTH AMERICAN Newsline MAY 20, 2022 | The Indian Eye 24

Emily Shah

New Jersey-raised actor makes Bollywood

debut in ‘Jungle Cry’ with Abhay Deol

Her first international film was ‘Fortune Defies Death’. She has also assisted Clint Eastwood on ‘Jersey Boys’ and later went
on to assist in other blockbusters such as ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’, ‘Monster Trucks’ and ‘Fast & Furious 7’

says the actor. is all about reacting and, hence, the most realistic
Directed by Sagar Ballary, and featuring Abhay acting is when you’re present with your scene part-
Deol, Atul Kumar, Stewart Wright, and Julian Lew- ner/s and react to what they’re saying and doing.
is Jones, ‘Jungle Cry’ also has interesting cameos Every single take that Abhay and I performed was
by renowned Rugby names such as referee Nigel different because of our varying emotions, actions,
Owens, Wales and British Lions fly half Phil Ben- and reactions. We hardly rehearsed so each take
nett, and Colin Charvis, former captain of Wales. was authentic and unique. He also gave me ele-
ments to work with, which is a first for me. Shoot-
ing for Jungle Cry made me realize why he is such
The film will be released on Lionsgate Play. a respected talent.”
OUR BUREAU It will get a theatrical release overseas on Though she is making her Bollywood de-
May 20. The attractive and graceful actor but now, Emily is no novice. Her first interna-
Edison, NJ plays the role of a rugby physiotherapist in tional film was ‘Fortune Defies Death’. She has
his is a crossover of a different kind. An ac- the film, based on true events, that tells the also assisted Clint Eastwood on ‘Jersey Boys’
tor, who was born in Chicago and raised in story of 12 tribal orphans from Odisha, who and later went on to assist in other blockbust-
TNew Jersey, is going to make her debut in ers such as ‘Captain America: The Winter Sol-
a Bollywood movie, starring opposite one of the play sports barefoot, and yet, go on to win dier’, ‘Monster Trucks’ and ‘Fast & Furious 7’.
best-known male actors of the Hindi film industry. the prestigious Rugby World Cup in England. Having assisted Clint Eastwood, Emily con-
Emily Shah will soon be seen in the upcoming film siders that as one of her most incredible life ex-
‘Jungle Cry’, which is slated to be released on June Emily prepared for the role by not only re- periences: “Mr Eastwood taught me something
2 on an OTT platform in India. The movie will also searching Rugby extensively but also shadowing unforgettable. He never says ‘action’ on-set be-
soon be released theatrically across the world. rugby physiotherapist Purvi Desai to better under- cause while working on his western films whenever
Stepping into the world’s biggest film indus- stand what the job entails. “I was mindful of the he yelled the word, the horses would go crazy. So,
try, Emily who speaks Hindi and Gujarati fluent- first film I chose as a Bollywood actress as it’s one he says, ‘If that happens to a horse, imagine what
ly, is quite excited as she talks about the movie. thing to act and another to act in such an impactful happens to the human mind.’ Therefore, during an
“‘Jungle Cry’ is a heartfelt story that displays the story. That’s what drove me to be a part of Jungle emotional scene on the sets of ‘Jungle Cry’, I asked
determination and heart of underprivileged tribal Cry. It’s a story that needed to be told and I wanted Sagar if we could try the Eastwood way and he im-
children, who rise to the occasion under extreme to be a part of it in every way possible.” mediately agreed; I believe it helped draw my best
circumstances. I play the sports physiotherapist For Emily, working with Abhay Deol, who is performance in the scene.”
Roshni and I chose the name as she brings light to the nephew of Bollywood legend Dharmendra, Emily has represented the UN for the World
the film. I had Roshni written in as an effervescent was a lovely experience. While she loves the entire Polio Eradication Initiative in India and, among
character who uplifts the story and supports the team, Emily has glowing praise for Abhay Deol. other charities, is also an Autism Awareness Am-
children’s journey and growth with compassion,” “Abhay is incredible to work with - I know acting bassador for Unicef.

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